New Orleans – Since the moment Boyd Edwards, known to fans as “Binkie Blues,” got his hands on a guitar, it’s been musical serendipity. The self-taught musician was raised in the rich, cultural hotspot of New Orleans with a deeply embedded respect for the blues. He recalls his childhood, reminiscing about growing up to the melodies of Muddy Waters and BB King; his father introducing him to the musical heroes that would inevitably inspire his music’s persona. Above all, however, Binkie Blues is a storyteller, using his words and slide guitar to take the listener on a melodic and emotional journey. His career began writing music for advertisements and film, but 2016 marks the beginning of his career as a solo artist and self-proclaimed storyteller. “I kind of look at songs as stories, I look at songs as little movies being played in the listeners head,” explains Binkie Blues.

The artist has experienced and witnessed more than most. Binkie Blues has been to war and back and worked as a paramedic. As he puts it, “I’ve seen the worst life has to offer. But what I’ve found is that in all that pain and hurt and everything, there is greatness.” That greatness and hope drove Binkie Blues to record his first EP, In Plain Sight. Boyd is both a father and combat veteran, and fans can expect to hear him draw inspiration from every role he’s played in his full, adventurous life.

Refreshing, honest, and hopeful; Binkie Blues is an artist to watch.In Plain Sight will be available on all digital platforms on September 6th, 2016.

REDWOOD CITY, CA – When Chris Anthony first told people he wanted to make music, most thought it was just a gag. The people from his home town in the Bay Area of California assumed he was trying to get some girls or increase his popularity. But Anthony said making music for him isn’t anything like that. In fact, making music is such an integral part of his life that it’s almost as natural as breathing.

“Making music is just something I have to do,” he said. “My soul was telling me to do it. It’s a higher calling. It’s not a persona – it’s just me being myself and talking about things I’ve experienced and putting that into music.”

Anthony said he loves the outlet that music provides for his raw emotion. He said his unique sound it a mix of trap and pop and R&B and hip-hop, all combined into a soulful sound that is 100 percent him.

“I have my influences and people I like to listen to, but my music is 100 percent me,” he said. “I’m not trying to copy anybody’s style. Too many people are trying to be carbon copies of other artists, but everything I write is 100 percent me. I just put myself out there.”

Anthony said there was a time in his life when he felt like a “tainted soul.” He had a lot of anger about previous relationships and a lot of experiences throughout his youth where lost some of that young innocence was particularly painful. It was through the exploration of those feelings and self-doubts that a lot of his early music was formed.In the 10 years since, Anthony has put a lot of study and research into what it take to become a successful recording artist. He’s honed his sound and has modeled his career after other self-made artists. And now he’s just about ready to release his first album, “Black Heart.” Eight of the 13 tracks on the album are already complete, and Anthony said he’s planning on releasing it in January 2017.

“Black Heart is dedicated to that feeling of figuring it all out,” Anthony said. “It’s dedicated to people who are misunderstood and people without a voice, people who are hurt by things and won’t speak out. This album is a portrayal, from my point of view, of life. Things aren’t all great and happy and PG rated all the time. This is real life, and this album is about getting through the different things that have caused me pain – and the cool things, too. It’s unfiltered – not distasteful, just honest and real. ‘Black Heart’ stands for being hurt and broken, but overcoming that – realizing there may be a problem and pushing through it.”

The first single off the album, “Juice,” is one of the best examples of that unfiltered approach to Anthony’s music. It’s a song about a girl that a guy knows he always has the upper hand on. Anthony said he’s observed that almost every girl has a guy in her life that they’ll always go back to – no matter who they’re with at the time.

“There’s always an open spot for you and she’ll let you slide back into her life no matter what the situation,” he said. “That’s what the song’s about. There’s a line in there that says, ‘You better tell him you don’t have the juice like that,’ which just means that she’s settling with that other guy and that he doesn’t have the same swagger that I do. And that’s the kind of music on this album. There’s a song that talks about the feeling you get when you’re driving to a girl’s house to sleep with her and how you have her where you want her. But there’s also a song about being hurt by a girl and how deep that pain is. There’s always someone you’ve had a romantic relationship with who’s gotten the better of you. And this album explores all the emotions that come from those things.”

Anthony said he doesn’t want people to pigeon-hole him into a reputation for being a morose ballad singer, and so he’s already started looking ahead to a second album that will be more upbeat and feature a lot of trap, pop and “worldly music” that anybody can listen to.

Paterson, New Jersey – Tucked away in industrial New Jersey, you’ll find Paterson, nestled on the Passaic River. Paterson was once known for it’s manufacturing industry (nicknamed “the silk city”) but has since become a place of hardship and crime for the youth. GUNSMOKE (born Dennis Chapman) has experienced and endured adversity, and is breaking through the mold with his newest project. After a tumultuous childhood and several run-ins with the law, GUNSMOKE did soul searching and decided his life was meant for more than what his environment had to offer. Music, a longtime passion and love for the young artist, was his ticket out and up, and now he’s using his talents to set an example for the youth in his beloved community.

GUNSMOKE’s talents originated as a knack for rhyming in the form of poetry. “I was in school, had to write a poem, and I wrote a poem, and liked it – I said, ‘Well, I can rhyme,’ and eventually turned it into rhyming on beats.” Influenced by the sounds of classic hip hops artists such as Tupac, Jay Z, Biggie, and more, the artist pulls old school influence to fuse with new age hip hop. “A lot of artists have shied away from the art of punch lines and making people ooh and ahh to their songs,” explains GUNSMOKE, but he’s not afraid of telling stories with his music. His songs are colorful and full of clever metaphors, with a certainty in his delivery.

The artist’s latest project, a single entitled “No Feelings,” is an inspirational song geared at males. It comes from GUNSMOKE’s perspective, as a man who has reached out of hardship and pain and has come full circle, to tell them that there is more to life than their circumstances.You haven’t seen the last of GUNSMOKE, who is eager to hit the ground running with his innovative music. As the CEO of his own label, and an artist, he poses this question to his fellow musicians: “How much do you really want it? Is it in you?” One thing is certain: GUNSMOKE is tenacious, hardworking, and is willing to do whatever it takes to be the next big thing in music.

MONTEREY, CA – When Ron Wright was a young child, his grandfather had an affinity for Chile Con Carne. Wright loved it when his grandfather would order it, but as a young child he couldn’t pronounce it well and when he would mimic his grandfather it came out sounding like “Chile Colorado.”

Over the years, Wright came to use the phrase frequently. It’s taken on a life of its own and, for him, is a phrase implies taking it easy and enjoying life. So when it came time to name his new rock band, it seemed like a no-brainer to go with Chile Colorado.

“It’s something that just kind of stuck,” Wright said. “I’ve been making music for many years and I’ve recorded with some pretty famous people – like the Doobie Brothers, Robin Trower, Pablo Cruz, Toto and Little River Band. I’ve done tons of studio sessions in LA and all around the area, but I never really had a band of my own.”

And so Wright began to form the trio that makes up Chile Colorado. The band consists of Wright, songwriter, lead guitarist and vocalist; Paul Goss, bass and backup vocals; and John Ferraro, drummer. All members of the band are longtime residents of California and have spent tons of hours in the recording studio.Wright said the purpose of the band is to take a classic old rock sound – similar to ZZ Top – and put a modern-day twist on it.

“I don’t think a lot of people are putting out records with our type of sound right now,” Wright said. “People have said they hear a little bit of this and a little bit of that – from Hendrix to some of the hotter classic rock bands of the 70s. When people hear our music I just want them to want to party – to feel like they’re kind of going back a bit in time but at the same time moving forward. We just want to bring back the old classic rock sound with a bit of a modern twist to it.”

Earlier this summer the band released its first studio album, “Getting Restless.” Wright worked with notorious engineer and producer, Chris Minto, who worked on many of the KISS albums and has multiple gold and platinum records. Minto’s wife, Janet Planet – notorious in her own right within the music industry – helped with some of the lyrics.

Since its release in June, the album has gone on to be played on 80 radio stations throughout the U.S. The single “Getting Restless With Your Love” scored No. 18 on the Jambands airplay chart, and has also made its way onto the AMA charts.

Fans can check out the album by visiting Chile Colorado’s Soundcloud page or visiting their website at ChileColorado.com. They also have music videos from many of their songs on YouTube. For more information about upcoming live shows or future releases, follow the band on social media on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

ATLANTA, GA – Emilio Ruffin has to make music. It’s more than just an urge or a fun pastime to pursue. Music is part of his DNA, and he considers it his purpose in life to make music on a daily basis.

“It’s just part of me,” said the Miami, Florida native who’s been making hip-hop music professionally for the past decade. “My family have a lot of reggae bands and Hispanic-influenced music, so I saw people in music my whole life growing up. My father is a singer, as well. But even without that I think I’d still be making music because it’s just what I love to do. Even if I’m not making an album, I’d want to collaborate with other artists or be a songwriter and producer. I just want to take music as far as it’ll let me go. I don’t want any boundaries or limits. The sky is limit.”

It’s that mentality that Ruffin brings to his most recent project – an album called “Luv N Lust” that was released last last year and has been getting positive reviews nationwide throughout 2016. Ruffin said the album is filled with songs that are filled with multiple storylines that just about anybody can relate to. He describes his unique sound as dark R&B, hip-hop and reggae all mixed together.

“It’s full of songs that have a whole bunch of things that people can relate to,” Ruffin said. “No matter what age you are – high school on up – you can really relate with something on this album.”

Ruffin said the album took about two years go complete, and he gives a lot of credit for the completion of the album to his producer, JVique. He and Vick have worked together quite a bit in the past, and since Ruffin began dropping mix tapes in 2012 – along with three short Eps – he has been seeing a lot of positive buzz from friends and fans. As his music has grown in popularity, the buzz via social media has spread nationwide, and he’s anxious to see how many more eyes and ears he can get his music in front of.

He said the main single off the album, “Go Up,” is the best way for new people to be introduced to his music. It’s a party vibe, he said, that talks about every conceivable situation in which someone might want to just cut loose and have fun.

“If it’s the weekend – like a Friday night – then you’re gonna ‘Go Up’ and have fun,” he said. “It’s just another term for celebrating and kicking back with some good friends and vibing out. It’s totally a Bob Marley inspired song.”

Ruffin said he’s working on booking a tour that’ll start in early 2017. Fans can find out more about his live performances by following him on social media on Twitter and Instagram, or by checking out his website at MrRuffinsNO.com. Fans can also sample his music on his Soundcloud page.

Mississauga, Canada (Greater Toronto Area) – 22-year-old Mike “Cannz” has always known his destiny was to perform. Entertainment, on any platform, is his true calling and the root of his identity. His artistic journey began as an actor, performing for television and film, but he always knew music was his fate. Three years ago, the artist decided to take his hobby and make it a career, beginning his endeavor by creating his own production company, Ten Ten Entertainment. Now, the young Canadian is eager to make his debut with single “Do You” which is bound to leave listeners wanting more from Cannz.

Influenced by fellow musician and Canadian, Drake, Cannz has carefully calculated his entrance onto the rap scene. Says the artist of Drake, “How he releases music, everything happens for a reason. He knew what he was doing. Everything flowed perfectly.” The performer has used the same strategy in carefully planning the release of his single, “Do You.” The song is a testimony of growth and dreams on the part of the young rapper, who calls the song “a spark, that will light a fire” in his life and career.

Being Canadian and white, Cannz knows he stands out. But, it’s not just his diversity from the traditional rap demographic that makes him unique – his music is a sound that’s yet to be heard, and his lyrics aim to entertain. “If you’re in a bad mood, you come to my show, and your mood is turned around.”

Ultimately, it’s Cannz’s music that will do the talking. “I’m confident in my music,” says the artist.“I just want to show people your dreams really can come true.”

James Lorenzo Duckett Jr born December 5, 1986, better known as Pistol Paco (Formerly Pistol Pete) is a rap artist from the Raleigh area of Memphis, Tn. Paco has been frequently referred to as by his peers as the “Wiz Khalifa of alcohol” and that statement reflects in his music heavilyRapping started as something he’d do just for entertainment—spend hours freestyling on a karaoke machine with friends. After the hours spent free-styling, writing rhymes, and making beats, Paco realized that he was becoming serious about music.After a brief stint at in college at The University of Tennessee at Martin Paco returned home to Memphis where he began to accumulate the equipment to build his own home studio. After accruing the recording supplies needed Paco began to record and release mix-tapes, including his Happy Hour Trilogy. (Happy Hour, Happy Hour 2: Beer Run, and Happy Hour 3: Last Call)Under the rapidly growing Animal House brand, Paco has been featured on many of his label mates projects including Breadzilla’s (also known as Yoga Flames) We Goin Live Series and Trey Stax’s YoungSoundTrackMack playlist and its sequel. Paco does not have a date for his next project that will be entitled “Jack Daniels Jr” but has been frequently releasing freestyles and visuals through his social media accounts and the Animal House website www.animalheezy.com

LOS ANGELES, CA – Bryen Reeves is a man of many talents. His best friend and long-time musical collaborator, Paul Curtis, can attest to the fact. And as the musician prepares to launch his new album “Musical Schizophrenic” this fall, it’s his diversity and eccentricity that he hopes will be on display through his lyrics and unique sound.

“Bryen is one of those guys who can do everything,” Curtis said. “He paints, he writes, he sings, he designs … he does everything. That’s why we came up with the name 10Talents. It fits him perfect.”

Reeves said the inspiration for the professional artist name that has followed him around for years is built upon a parable from the Bible in which Jesus tells a story of three servants who are given coins – or talents – by their master and tasked to be responsible with them. The servant who obeyed the best doubled his money, and it’s that kind of faithfulness that Reeves wants to display through all of his many gifts and abilities. His new album is a display of his musical talents, he said.

“God has blessed me to know how to do a lot of stuff,” Reeves said. “It’s nothing but a blessing, and I’ve done a little bit of everything – I was a barber, I’ve done makeup, I’ve done painting, I’ve done dancing, I’ve done acting. Pretty much if it’s artistic, I do it. And this album is kind of a reflection of that. The single ‘BFF’ shows that diversity off. It’s a fresh new sound, but like the old adage about weddings it has elements that are old, and some things that are new, and some things that are borrowed and some things that are blue. It’s all there, and I think that makes an equation for a hit.”

Reeves said BFF is a fun take on breakups and how some things keep people together forever regardless of their relationship status. He said the title of the album – “Musical Schizophrenic” – is appropriate, however, in that each song takes a different twist and turn from the last. The next track after BFF, for instance, is a swagger-driven ode to drunken love that features a mix of trap and R&B with a catchy bass line.

The album also features tracks such as “Candy Wrapper,” “9Yards,” “Black Button,” “Fire,” and “Honeymoon Stage.” Each song, he said, sounds so different from the last that individually it might seem like they aren’t even from the same artist, but together they make an eclectic project that makes sense in a strange sort of way.

“I’ve always been a writer and I’ve always loved all kinds of different music,” Reeves said. “This album started out with me and Paul just cutting joints with no real purpose. But as we started recording songs, I noticed that it was eclectic but still had a harmony to it. I knew right then that we needed to put it out as a project. I think it’s providing a fresh new sound, which is something we need in the industry right now. You know, music goes through phases, and we’re in one of those phases right now where so much of music today is void of emotion – it’s carbon-copied and sounds so much the same. This album has true, raw emotion. It’s a little pop, a little old-school R&B, a little bit of rock … everything. It even includes some really strong ballads.”

“At the end of the day, I want to connect emotionally with people,” Reeves said. “I feel like a lot of times now that people do is listen for a beat – and that’s dope – but I want to connect to the lyrics and the words and the emotion of the song. I want to connect to your personal situation. I want to relate to it. Music is supposed to help people, and I want to give people something that they can really feel. I’m trying to be a catalyst for that.”

The new album, “Musical Schizophrenic,” is due out in the fall of 2016. For more information about single releases or upcoming live shows, follow Reeves on social media @10_Talents on Instagram, @BryenKReeves or @DaReal10Talents on Twitter, and at “Bryen Reeves” on Facebook.